PennDOT to Reclaim Land Along New Falls Road

As part of a quest to add sidewalks along New Falls Road, PennDOT will be reclaiming its right-of-way land in Bristol and Middletown townships.

It’s not sidewalks, yet, but it’s a step closer. Officials from Bristol Township, Middletown, and state met Thursday at the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority headquarters off Green Lane to talk about adding sidewalks to New Falls Road in Levittown. Officials agreed to begin work to reclaim PennDOT owned right-of-ways and clear brush from the sides of the roadway from Veterans Highway (Route 413) to Bristol-Oxford Valley Road. The cleared brush will allow pedestrians a clear path to walk on the embankment that sits on both sides of the road. Local officials hope that the clearing will eventually lead to the installation of sidewalks. PennDOT will begin surveys in the coming weeks to confirm its right-of-way along the busy road. Click …

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Sharon Rearick

10:28 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013

Concerned Citizen, I started a corporation call SIDEWALKS ARE FOR EVERYONE (S A F E ) i couldnt use safe already taken as soon as all the documents come in the account will be set up. What is a Peoe manning collection bucket? I need a bunch of people to start there own fundraising events. I have one event set up April 20th from 9:15P to 11:30-12P THE COMEDY WORKS BRISTOL TICKETS ARE $15 drinks …   more ›

Police & Fire Blotter

Hit-and-Run Driver That Struck JJ Rearick Pleads Guilty

Jonathan H. Simmons pleaded guilty today in Bucks County Court to charges stemming from the hit and run killing of John "JJ" Rearick in July.

Jonathan H. Simmons pleaded guilty Thursday to the third-degree felony charge of leaving the scene of accident that results in death in the hit-and-run killing of Bristol Township man John Rearick, 23, in Bucks County Court. He now faces up to seven years in prison and $15,000 in fines. Simmons also pleaded guilty to a second-degree misdemeanor of recklessly endangering another person, which carries a maximum two-year sentence and $5000 in penalties. Bucks County Judge Wallace Bateman deferred sentencing for Simmons as part his guilty plea. The sentencing is expected to be in January so the court can review victim impact statements. Bateman told Simmons, “You shouldn’t have been behind the wheel of a car. You shouldn’t have been on the …

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Tom Heinsinger

6:58 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012

My thoughts are with you Sharon.. I hope those gift certificates were ok for the benefit. Let me know if there is ANYTHING you need.. John will be missed he was a great friend.   more ›

Officials Meet to Lay Groundwork for New Falls Road Sidewalks

Progresses made but a number of challenges still need to be negotiated.

As Patch reported last month, Sharon Rearick’s online petition in honor of her son John, a victim of hit-and-run accident on New Falls Rd, created a groundswell of support for the installation of safe walkways along New Falls Road in Middletown and Bristol townships. The outcry led to a meeting coordinated by state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-6) on Thursday at the senator's offices in Langhorne. Attending were state Rep. Tina Davis’ (D -141) Chief of Staff Bryan Allen, Bristol Township Manager Bill McCauley, Middletown Township’s Director of Parks and Recreation Debby Lemanna and PennDOT Bucks County Maintenance Manager Calvin Morrison. Al Sutter, chief of staff for Tomlinson, characterized the meeting as productive saying there are a number …

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Police & Fire Blotter

Mother of Son Killed on New Falls Road Wants Action

Sharon Rearick’s online petition is calling on the public for help in getting walkways throughout New Falls Road.

Sharon Rearick’s life changed forever on July 22. On New Falls Road in Middletown, her son was run over by a hit-and run driver, John Rearick, 23. Several days later, he died from his injuries at St. Mary Medical Center, and for Sharon Rearick, the loss galvanized her to action.       New Falls Road, she says, is dangerous and something needs to be done about it. On August 29, Rearick created a petition one on Change.Org. In it she calls for sidewalks to be constructed on the highway for the safety of the public Named the “Sidewalks for New Falls Road, Honoring John Rearick by Making a Difference,” the petition spells out the danger for the public when traveling by foot on the road as Rearick says in the online document. With approximately…

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Police & Fire Blotter

Driver in Fatal Hit-and-Run Turns Himself In

A Bristol Township man turned himself in to police Tuesday and admitted he was driving the car that hit John Rearick, who later died from the injuries.

Jonathan H. Simmons, 27, of Bristol Township, surrendered to police Tuesday, and admitted he drove the Cadillac that struck a Croydon man July 22, according to phillyburbs.com. John Rearick, 23, was struck while crossing New Falls Road in Middletown just after midnight. He died from the injuries July 28. Video surveillance footage shows Simmons’ Cadillac travelling westbound on New Falls Road near the Penn Jersey Auto Store and coming to a stop after the collision.  Then the driver steers around Rearick’s body and turns left into the Plumbridge section of Levittown. Simmons said he was picking up a prescription for his pregnant girlfriend and was on his way home. Rearick’s mother, Sharon, posted a message on Patch asking to keep the story …

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Sharon Rearick

4:10 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012

Bail was set at $500,000 unsecured, so he is walking free and had to post zero dollars and is walking the streets while my son John Rearick is DEAD AT 23 YEARS OLD. He was just told not to driver. He has already shown that he drives even when his license is suspended. The outcome is now in the hands of the DA, I am sure he will fight for what right. Please pray for all the parties involved. The …   more ›